RSS Feedhttps://10.40.239.128/blogs/rss-feed/Blog RSS Feeden{97984C06-713A-43C5-BFC3-084B19BAAF8C}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/busy-utah-mom-sets-sights-on-better-heart-health/Busy Utah Mom Sets Sights on Better Heart Health<p><strong>In Heather's own words:</strong></p>
<p>So&hellip;On May 9th, I completed my first 5k in over 4 years. It was bittersweet because just 5 years ago, I had been running half marathons. After the loss of my big brother to suicide and the loss of my dad to heart surgery, in the last 4 years, I lost a lot of motivation in life. I kinda feel like I've just been going through the motions and not really loving life anymore.</p>
<p>This particular 5k was The seventh Annual Race for Red, put on by&nbsp;Utah Valley Heart &amp; Vascular Services. The proceeds for the event went to research for Heart Disease. I&nbsp;always feel so much better knowing that my money is going to an organization or charity like this. Puts a little more pep in my step. I was&nbsp;definitely not in shape for this&hellip;in fact, it just about killed me. They had mile markers that made every mile seem like 10 miles. I ran though&hellip;well jogged&hellip;jog walked. I pushed myself. I was so sore the day after and the day after that was excruciating. I cannot believe how out of shape I am! This used to be easy for me.</p>
<p>I took my&nbsp;boyfriend, Brian, with me. Well, I made him go. He is not a runner but he is really&nbsp;competitive. He complained the entire drive to Provo. When we arrived at the event he started changing his attitude. The cool t-shirt and swag bag kind of lifted his spirit. His good buddy Petey joined us, too. I really loved the timing chip and to see our stats after the race. I&nbsp;took 8th place in my age range and Brian took 5th place. We both kept our stat papers and took a lot of&nbsp;pictures. Mind you, Brian was the first one to post and share&nbsp;photos on social media. (He had fun even though he will NOT admit it.)</p>
<p>I am really trying to get Brian to participate in the heart challenge with me. The day I found out I won a spot in this challenge, I had to rush him to the IMC ER because he thought he was&nbsp;having a heart attack. We found out that night that he has an Atrial Flutter. For a 41 year old man, it's pretty uncommon. We have been in and out of IMC for a month now. Brian for the flutter and me for the challenge. I think&nbsp;this 5 k was such a success and an inspiration to both of us. We realized&nbsp;how much fun it is to do healthy activities together. We both get&nbsp;competitive and start laughing when we get too serious. I am so proud of him and myself for&nbsp;doing this! We are already looking for more 5ks around Utah and especially the races that have a cause.&nbsp;</p>Fri, 22 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600{DB8A1A41-9EC0-46ED-A5C4-2A84DBD4D814}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/5-ways-to-protect-your-skin-from-the-sun-this-summer/5 Ways to Protect Your Skin from the Sun this Summer<p class="p1"><strong>1.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>USE SUNCREEN REGULARLY</strong></p>
<p class="p2">Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major risk factor for most skin cancers, and sunlight is the main source of UV rays, according to the <a href="http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skincancerpreventionandearlydetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-what-is-u-v-radiation" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a>.</p>
<p class="p3">&ldquo;People of all skin colors can get skin cancer and need to protect their skin from UV radiation,&rdquo; said Dr. Tawnya Bowles, a surgical oncologist and skin cancer expert at Intermountain Medical Center. &ldquo;Wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen will be your best defense.&rdquo;</p>
<p class="p3">Choosing the right sunscreen may seem harder than you think. Experts recommend sunscreen that is SPF30 and broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB protection). Sunscreen needs to be applied 30 minutes before going outside and re-applied every two hours. If you have swimming on your agenda, be sure to use water-resistant sunscreen and reapply when you get out of the water.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>2.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>WEAR A HAT</strong></p>
<p class="p2">In addition to sunscreen, there are also clothing items that provide protection. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeved shirt/pants when possible. UPF clothing provides additional protection from the sun.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>3.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>SEEK SHADE</strong></p>
<p class="p3">When outdoors, seek shade when possible. Standing under a tree, awning, or using an umbrella limits your direct exposure to the sun. <strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p2"><strong>4.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>AVOID THE SUN BETWEEN 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.</strong></p>
<p class="p3">The strength of the damaging UV rays is based on various factors, including time of day, altitude and reflective surfaces. Utah&rsquo;s high elevation makes the summer months more dangerous, contributing to the fact that Utah has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the nation.</p>
<p class="p3">Avoid being out in the sun between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, when the sun&rsquo;s rays are the strongest. &nbsp;</p>
<p class="p3"><strong>5.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>AVOID TANNING BEDS</strong></p>
<p class="p3">A <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24477278" target="_blank">2014 study</a>&nbsp;estimated that more than 400,000 cases of skin cancer may be related to indoor tanning in the United States each year.&nbsp; About 32 percent of girls in the 12<sup>th</sup> grade report indoor tanning, according to a separate study.</p>
<p class="p3">&ldquo;Research has shown that tanning beds cause skin cancer, especially when people start tanning at young ages,&rdquo; said Dr Bowles. &ldquo;People who use tanning beds before age 30 increase their lifetime risk of melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75 percent. Indoor tanning is an unnecessary risk about should be avoided.&rdquo;</p>
<p class="p3">Experts also encourage everyone to regularly examine your skin from head to toe, and if you notice any abnormal growth or discoloration on your skin, to check with your doctor. The earlier skin cancer is detected, the more treatable it is.</p>
<p class="p3"><em>Below is an interview with Dr Tawnya Bowles on ABC4 Utah about these five tips.&nbsp;</em></p>
<div style="position: relative; display: block; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T23_pTJE7-A" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Fri, 22 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600{FBFB2BF5-1B6F-4026-BEBF-2F17F3316C4A}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/what-is-the-right-diet-for-me/What is the right diet for me?<p>The whole concept of going <em>onto</em> a diet is that eventually we will <em>go off </em>of the diet.&nbsp; I find that this sets us up for failure.&nbsp; Often we resort to fad diets to help us lose weight.&nbsp; Fad diets are short term diets that typically exclude certain foods or food groups, promise rapid weight loss and other miraculous claims, and seem like a tempting &lsquo;fix&rsquo; to a problem.&nbsp; For example, the Atkins diet resurfaced several years back as a quick way to drop the pounds.&nbsp; It excluded carbohydrates and promoted a high protein (and consequently also a high fat) intake.&nbsp; People would lose weight quickly &ndash; though a lot of the initial weight loss came from water weight &ndash; not exactly the type of weight we want to lose.&nbsp; However, this diet was not very sustainable.&nbsp; Telling someone they could eat any grains &ndash; including bread, pasta, rice, cereals, tortillas, etc., and could only eat foods such as meats, cheese, nuts, and eggs was a little restrictive, to say the least.&nbsp; After the excitement wore off, many individuals returned to their old eating habits, and gained back the weight they had lost &ndash; and often times more.</p>
<p>There are many reasons why fad diets are not a healthy approach to weight loss.&nbsp; First, these diets may be deficient in many vitamins and minerals and result in malnutrition.&nbsp; These diets do not set us up for long term success, as seen in the example of the Atkins diet.&nbsp; However, not only have people gone back to their previous weight or higher, but there is some evidence to suggest that this chronic weight cycling &ndash; constantly losing weight then gaining it back &ndash; can have a detrimental effect on our metabolism.&nbsp; The individual who went from 200 lbs, to 150 lbs, and back to 200 lbs, may require less calories at 200 lbs when they return to this weight than when they were at this weight in the first place.&nbsp; We all know we want our metabolism to be as healthy (= as high) as possible, and so chronic dieting may work against us.</p>
<p>I believe there is a psychological effect as well.&nbsp; I have worked with so many patients that have tried multiple fad diets, and they tell me they &lsquo;fail&rsquo; them all.&nbsp; This &lsquo;failure&rsquo; seems to be internalized and starts to impact how they view themselves.&nbsp; Consequently, we can feel worse about ourselves after this lack of success, which may make us less likely to be successful with future efforts.</p>
<p>There was a large scale research study that compared many of the popular diets to see which ones were most successful at helping individuals lose weight.&nbsp; Do you know which one had the best results?&nbsp; Whichever one individuals adhered to.&nbsp; The diet that showed the most compliance had the best results <em>regardless of the diet itself </em>(high protein, vs high fat, vs high carbohydrates, etc.).&nbsp; It seems it is less about the specifics of the diet and more about how able we can follow it.&nbsp; So, back to my initial response about which diet is best for me? The one that you can follow.&nbsp; The one you can maintain for life and not feel like you are on a diet.</p>
<p>I believe there are many principles which we can follow that will help support healthy weight loss.&nbsp; First, portion sizes need to be managed.&nbsp; We can be eating all the healthy foods in the world, but if we are consuming too much, we will gain weight.&nbsp; We need to eat less than what our needs are to lose weight.&nbsp; One way to know if we are doing this is to track our intake, such as with websites and apps like MyFitnessPal, that help us to compute how many calories we are consuming versus what our needs are, and help to support our weight loss efforts.&nbsp; Research studies indicate that people who track their intake seem to have greater success with weight loss.&nbsp; A lot of this comes from the awareness we develop about how many calories are in the foods that we consume.&nbsp; </p>
<p>Other habits of individuals successful at weight include eating breakfast regularly (may help us from overeating later in the day), exercising 5-6 days a week, and consuming a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein options, and lowfat/nonfat dairy foods.</p>
<p>Regardless of what dietary approach you choose, think to yourself, five years from now can I be continuing this approach?&nbsp; Can I maintain this approach during the holidays? If so, you are probably on the right track.</p>Fri, 22 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600{0AAAF9BE-3FA1-4A56-84C1-38E17E66D8C6}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/injuries-from-falls/Injuries from Falls
<p>Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths. At <a href="http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/imed/services/ercriticalcare/Pages/TraumaCare.aspx">Intermountain Medical Center</a> 44% of trauma related deaths are caused by falls. It is important to remember that falls are not a normal part of aging, and most falls are preventable. Here are some helpful tips to prevent falls.</p>
<p><strong>Exercise</strong><br />
Physical activity strengthens muscles and improves balance, which decreases the risk of falling.</p>
<strong>Medications</strong>
<div>It is important to have your physician or pharmacist review all <a href="http://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/2015/02/save-lives-not-medication" target="_blank">medications</a>. Certain medications can have side effects that may increase the risk of falling, such as dizziness or drowsiness.
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Vision</strong><br />
Older adults should have regular eye exams at least once a year and should always wear the appropriate glasses or contact lenses.
<p><strong>Home Hazards</strong><br />
Because almost half of all falls occur at home, it is important to identify potential hazards in the home. Walk ways need to be kept clear of clutter or anything a person may trip over, like throw rugs. Proper lighting and installation of hand and guard rails throughout the home can help to ensure the safety of the home. And items that are used regularly should be kept within reach without use of a step stool.</p>
<p><strong>Additional Information</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.ncoa.org/improve-health/center-for-healthy-aging/falls-prevention/state-coalitions-map/utah.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/" target="_blank">The Stepping on Falls Prevention Program</a> is an evidenced based program, endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This program has been proven to reduce the risk of falls among older adults. Stepping On is offered throughout the state of Utah at local area senior centers and is free to those 60 and older.</p>
</div>
</div>Thu, 21 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600{7B09B922-BE33-4DA4-B429-698E3D136A96}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/4-responsibilities-of-a-cio/4 Responsibilities of a CIO<ul>
<li>Lead your organization by advancing IT products, data analytics, and innovation.</li>
<li>Be technically savvy. Information systems have become more complex. CIOs need to understand tech to be able to communicate strategy.</li>
<li>Technology is everywhere, and users are more adept at using it. CIOs need to consider users&rsquo; changing needs in strategic planning.</li>
<li>Do what&rsquo;s in patients&rsquo; best interests. Remember why we are here &ndash; to improve the delivery of care through health IT.</li>
</ul>
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<div style="position: relative; display: block; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe frameborder="0" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: medium none;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JqrIsvuc6Qs"></iframe></div>
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<div style="position: relative; display: block; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe frameborder="0" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: medium none;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MQBfi97NrEk"></iframe></div>Thu, 21 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600{4B3B5544-1215-4217-A9D3-63EF8C26B2A3}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/infographic-the-mediterranean-diet/Infographic: The Mediterranean Diet<img height="1521" alt="MedDietInfo2" width="612" src="/~/media/Images/Modules/Blog/Posts/2015/MedDietInfo2.png" />Wed, 20 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600{366DA85C-852B-48BB-AFFA-0D8557B882DF}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/8-to-live-by-sleep-and-support/8 to LiVe By: Sleep and Support
<p>
<strong>Sleep tips:</strong>
</p>
<ul>
<li>How much sleep do you need? Kids need about 10 hours, teens about nine, adults need about eight</li>
<li>Routine is key: stick to bedtime routines</li>
<li><a href="http://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/2015/04/live-well-8-to-live-by-get-moving" target="_blank">Move More!</a> More activity helps you sleep better and wake refreshed</li>
<li>Do <a href="http://www.medicaldaily.com/temper-tantrums-anxiety-and-homework-problems-could-reveal-deeper-issues-kids-333904" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">homework</a> first, don’t wait until the end of the night</li>
<li>Say good night to the electronics: keep screens out of the bedroom!</li>
<li>Make sure your room is dark</li>
<li>Get help if you have a lot of trouble sleeping or staying asleep</li>
<li>Excuses for not going to bed at night:<br />
“I’m not tired at night”<br />
“I have to stay up and finish my homework”</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Eat Meals Together as a Family</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Try to eat as a family 3-4 days/week</li>
<li>Don’t overthink the menu: keep it simple</li>
<li>Try to avoid eating in the car/limit fast food</li>
<li>Have everyone help with cooking</li>
<li>Stop grazing</li>
<li>Studies show kids who eat with their parents stay away from cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs; do well in school, maintain a healthy weight, and are happy with their present life and prospects for future.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Be Positive about Food and Body Image:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Don’t use food as a reward, bribe or punishment</li>
<li>Stay away from fad diets/ Avoid labeling food as “good” or “bad”</li>
<li>Learn about nutrition/Grow it yourself!</li>
</ul>Tue, 19 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600{BBB214B2-B228-4BB9-A2CC-51F131FE3452}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/heart-healthy-recipe-mexican-tortilla-soup/Heart-healthy Recipe: Mexican Tortilla Soup<p><strong>INGREDIENTS</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>4 split/2 whole chickens - optional for bone in/skin on</li>
<li>Good olive oil</li>
<li>Salt and pepper</li>
<li>2 cups chopped onions (2 onions)</li>
<li>1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)</li>
<li>2 cups chopped carrots (4 carrots)</li>
<li>4 large garlic cloves, chopped</li>
<li>2 1/2 quarts chicken stock</li>
<li>1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes in puree</li>
<li>2-4 jalape&ntilde;o peppers, seeded and minced</li>
<li>1 tsp ground cumin</li>
<li>1 tsp ground coriander seed</li>
<li>1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves (optional)</li>
<li>6 (6") fresh corn tortillas - cut in 1/2, then cut cross-wise into 1/2" strips</li>
<li>For serving: slice avocado, grated cheddar cheese, tortilla chips</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>DIRECTIONS</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken breasts on baking pan, rub lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast 35-40 minutes, until done. When check is cool enough to handle, discard skin and bones if applicable, and shred chicken. Cover and set aside.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot/Dutch oven. Add onions, celery, carrots and cook over med-low heat for about 10 minutes, until onions start to brown. Add garlic and cook about 30 seconds.</li>
<li>Add chicken stock, tomatoes w/puree, jalape&ntilde;os, cumin, coriander, 2 tsp salt (depending on saltiness of stock), 1 tsp pepper and cilantro if using.</li>
<li>Add tortilla strips to soup, bring the soup to a boil, then lower heat and simmer about 25 minutes.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Add the shredded chicken and season to taste. Serve the soup hot, topped with slices of avocado, grated Cheddar cheese and broken tortilla chips.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>Fri, 15 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600{DE95D076-E91D-42F7-90C8-BD210226B6B2}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/four-things-you-need-to-know-about-superbugs/Four things you need to know about Superbugs<p class="p1">One of the most common ones is <strong>methicillin-resistant <em>staphylococcus aureus</em></strong> (<strong>MRSA</strong>) -- a type of staph bacteria that causes skin infections, and which is resistant to many common antibiotics. It&rsquo;s related to <em>staphylococcus aureus</em>, which is a common bacteria that can be detected in 20 to 30% of healthy people in the general population. MRSA is much less frequent.</p>
<p class="p1">While these superbugs need to be taken seriously, there tends to be a bit of overreaction when people don&rsquo;t understand what these they are, and how they&rsquo;re spread. Here are four things you should know about MRSA:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>MRSA is most commonly spread by direct contact with infected or colonized people.</strong> It lives on the body surface, such as skin, hands, and the front part of the nostrils). Conditions that facilitate transmission in the community include contact sports and living conditions where people are in close quarters (such as military barracks, college dorm rooms, locker rooms, etc.). Hospitalization also increases the risk of acquiring MRSA, but hospital strains are somewhat different from community strains.</li>
<li><strong>Individuals in good health are generally not at risk for MRSA.</strong> Most people don&rsquo;t know when they&rsquo;ve been exposed to MRSA and many will clear the bacteria spontaneously without disease. Cuts and abrasions can allow bacteria to spread to where they don&rsquo;t belong. The most commonly occurs in healthy people is skin infections with &ldquo;boils&rdquo; or skin abscesses that are often initially mistaken as &ldquo;spider bites.&rdquo;</li>
<li><strong>Certain groups are at higher risk for MRSA infections.</strong> These include individuals who have chronic health conditions (such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, problems with immune systems, etc.), people who have undergone surgery, and people who require prolonged use of venous catheters. These people often have more invasive diseases such as pneumonia and bloodstream infection.</li>
<li><strong>The best protection from MRSA is good hygiene.</strong> Proper and consistent hand-washing is important to prevent the transfer of bacteria to other parts of the body and to other people. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered. Shower immediately after participating in contact sports and don&rsquo;t share personal care items such as towels, razors, or athletic equipment.</li>
</ol>Fri, 15 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600{2D9FEF42-C254-4004-AC28-4F355547FE0E}https://10.40.239.128/blogs/2015/05/unstoppable-trends-in-healthcare/Unstoppable Trends and Guiding Principles of Healthcare<div style="position: relative; display: block; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VsPDCKv00fo" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: medium none;"></iframe></div>
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For more information on healthcare transformation, visit Intermountain Healthcare's <a href="https://intermountain.thismoment.com/us-en/base/healthydialogues" target="_blank">Healthy Dialogues</a>.Thu, 14 May 2015 00:00:00 -0600